Day after the superstorm: the Holy Spirit says, come!

The watchman woke and heard the verse from Revelation 22:11 "Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy." He prayed for the East Coast and New York in particular before he fell asleep. He asked the Spirit of intercession helped him to pray as he ran out of words. When he heard this verse he knew what it meant. He got up and asked for mercy and time. But then the Lord told him not to despair and read the whole chapter. So he read. There is still HOPE for ALL.

(His notes are in bracket. The boldness of some words were added by him.)

Revelation 22 (ESV)

The River of Life (the good news first!)

22:1 Then the angel^[a] showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life^[b] with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ³ No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants^[c] will worship him. ⁴ They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

(The Lord showed John the river of the water of life first. This is the same river that the prophet Ezekiel saw in his vision in Ezekiel 47, that flowed from the temple of God and became deep enough to swim in. "For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes." On the banks will grow trees, "Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing." This is how the Holy Spirit works. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead gives lives to our mortal bodies. )

Jesus Is Coming -This is imminent: "must soon take place"; "behold I am coming soon" (said twice); "for the time is near"!)

⁶ And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

⁷ “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

⁸ I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, ⁹ but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant^[d] with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

(Who are the servants of the Lord? the angels who do His work, the prophets of God, and those who keep the words of the Bible. They worship God. They live before God lives of living sacrifice: Romans 12:1-2 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.^")

¹⁰ And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. ¹¹ Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

(This is the key message today: the Lord looks at two things. Who you are and what you do physically. Indeed, what you do in your physical bodies impact whether you will be acceptable to God in eternity. This is a frightening message. Often Christians do not think much of what their bodies do. But reading the Bible as a whole, from Genesis to Revelation, one message is clear: God is holy. He only accept holy sacrifices. Someone may argue that it is impossible to keep our bodies holy all the time, or for some, anytime at all. But God is still holy. He still demands His called ones to be holy. Without holiness one just cannot enter into His presence in eternity. reading this key verse which appears at the end of the Bible, the last 11th verse, we just cannot ignore what the Spirit is telling us.)

¹² “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

¹⁴ Blessed are those who wash their robes,^[e] so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. ¹⁵ Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

(This is the final list of defilement that will disqualify one's entrance into the presence of the holy God in eternity.)

(The Lord wants us to take heed of the defilement pertaining to the body. In his letters to the Corinthians the Apostle Paul was adamant that the Christians keep their bodies holy for the Lord. 1 Cor.6:13b “The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” 18-19 “ Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own,” 2Cor.7:1 “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” Defiling the body defiles one's spirit too. The key again is we must be aware of the spiritual and not just the seen physical world.)

¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

(This warning is issued to churches, not the unbelievers.)

¹⁷ The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

(The good news is repeated here by the Spirit. Come and drink from the Holy Spirit. He can cleanse and sanctify you! )

(1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV) 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. )

¹⁸ I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, ¹⁹ and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

(God's words are forever settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89)

²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

(Jesus is coming soon!)

²¹ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.^[f] Amen.

Footnotes:

1. Revelation 22:1 Greek he
2. Revelation 22:2 Or the Lamb. In the midst of the street of the city, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life
3. Revelation 22:3 Greek bondservants; also verse 6
4. Revelation 22:9 Greek fellow bondservant
5. Revelation 22:14 Some manuscripts do his commandments
6. Revelation 22:21 Some manuscripts all the saints
   
   

   Watchman’s summary:

   God is holy.

   God wants His people to be holy.

   Jesus is coming soon.

   The Holy Spirit is here to make us holy.

   All who thirst for holiness are invited to come and drink from the Holy Spirit’s river of living water (which washes us by the word of God)!

   Today is the time. Do not delay anymore.

   The spiritual realm is real. You can be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. There is still hope for all!

And recovery of sight to the blind

 THE LORD GOD HEALS BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS AND ALL MANNERS OF DISEASES (BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT)

Exodus 4:11
So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?
Exodus 4:10-12 (in Context) Exodus 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations 
 Psalm 146:8
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous.
Psalm 146:7-9 (in Context) Psalm 146 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Isaiah 29:18
In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
Isaiah 29:17-19 (in Context) Isaiah 29 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Isaiah 35:5
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Isaiah 35:4-6 (in Context) Isaiah 35 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Isaiah 42:16
I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:15-17 (in Context) Isaiah 42 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Isaiah 43:8
Bring out the blind people who have eyes, And the deaf who have ears.
Isaiah 43:7-9 (in Context) Isaiah 43 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Jeremiah 31:8
Behold, I will bring them from the north country, And gather them from the ends of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child And the one who labors with child, together; A great throng shall return there.
Jeremiah 31:7-9 (in Context) Jeremiah 31 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations 


JESUS (WITH THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT) HEALS ALL KINDS OF BLINDNESS

Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Luke 4:17-19 (in Context) Luke 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Luke 7:22
Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Luke 7:21-23 (in Context) Luke 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Matthew 11:5
The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Matthew 11:4-6 (in Context) Matthew 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Matthew 15:31
So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.
Matthew 15:30-32 (in Context) Matthew 15 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations  

BUT THE BLIND MUST BELIEVE AND TAKE THE STEP OF FAITH TO COME TO JESUS FOR HEALING
 
Matthew 9:28
And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
Matthew 9:27-29 (in Context) Matthew 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations Matthew 12:22
[ A House Divided Cannot Stand ] Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.
Matthew 12:21-23 (in Context) Matthew 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations 
Matthew 21:14
Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.
Matthew 21:13-15 (in Context) Matthew 21 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Mark 8:23
So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.
Mark 8:22-24 (in Context) Mark 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Mark 10:49
So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
Mark 10:48-50 (in Context) Mark 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Mark 10:51
So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
Mark 10:50-52 (in Context) Mark 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS IS WORSE THAN PHYSICAL BLINDNESS

Isaiah 59:10 (THEY CANNOT SEE NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO EYES, BUT BECAUSE OF THEIR SIN AND TURNING AWAY FROM GOD)
We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places.
Isaiah 59:9-11 (in Context) Isaiah 59 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Romans 11:7 (ISRAEL IS BLIND TEMPORARILY. BUT THE GENTILES WHO WERE NOT IN THE ELECT WERE REALLY BLIND).
What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Romans 11:6-8 (in Context) Romans 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Romans 11:25 (SOME BLINDNESS CAN BE HEALED WHEN GOD'S TIME IS UP)
For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
Romans 11:24-26 (in Context) Romans 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2 Corinthians 3:14 (BLINDNESS HAPPENS IN THE MIND!)
But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:13-15 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2 Corinthians 4:4 (TO THOSE WHO CHOSE NOT TO BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST)
whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
2 Corinthians 4:3-5 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Ephesians 4:18 (TO UNBELIEVERS)
having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
Ephesians 4:17-19 (in Context) Ephesians 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2 Peter 1:9 (TO THOSE WHO FORGOT HIS SALVATION)
For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
2 Peter 1:8-10 (in Context) 2 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
1 John 2:11 (HATRED BRINGS DARKNESS WHICH IN TURN CAUSE BLINDNESS).
But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
1 John 2:10-12 (in Context) 1 John 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Revelation 3:17 (TO THE BLIND CHURCH)
Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
Revelation 3:16-18 (in Context) Revelation 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
 

Stephen - Thy Witness: Spiritual Christianity

Stephen - Thy Witness
by T. Austin-Sparks

An Appeal for Spiritual Christianity

Acts 22:20 (Acts 6 & 7)
It would be difficult to find a Christian who did not hold Stephen in very high esteem. The reading of the account of his martyrdom, as that of a young man of great gifts and unimpeachable character, stirs every kind of emotion into intense reaction. Sorrow, grief, admiration, anger, contempt, hatred, are all mingled in the tears which are very near when we hear his last words and see his last look. Our heads go down when we seem to see in the darkness of the night the torches of the "devout men" and hear their hushed tread as they go out to recover and bury that mangled body - "And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him". A young, brilliant, brave, and beautiful life has been taken away by brutal, vicious, bestial fury. The cause we shall examine, but view the event.
True, Stephen had flung some serious charges at the Jewish rulers present. He had supported those charges by long Jewish history and Scripture, but prejudice will never listen to the best documented argument. So, at a given point, they stopped their ears, gnashed at him with their teeth, and rushed upon him, dragging him outside the city. The place for stoning was a ramp higher than a man. The first witness against Stephen threw him from the ramp in such a way that he fell on his back. Then a large stone was thrown with great force on his heart. The blow did not kill him, so, according to the Law (Deut. 17:7) it was the people's turn. The men took off their white mantles and laid them at the feet of Saul, who was present in an official capacity to support the proceedings. The stones rained upon Stephen who, at a point, raised himself to his knees and prayed for their forgiveness, and, as the horrible work reached its climax, he just said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." The deed was done. The mangled body lay motionless.
But, from that point, we have to begin our enquiry. What did it all amount to? What was

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF STEPHEN?

Was Stephen just the first martyr for the faith, to be followed by many more, and so to be JUST ONE of the Noble Army of the Martyrs? Or was there something special and different about Stephen? We answer that in an affirmation, and then proceed to uncover that particular significance.
Stephen was making spiritual history. What Stephen was fighting for to the very death was something in Christianity that even the chief Apostles - Peter, James, John, and the rest - had not yet seen and come to. It was something different, even in Christianity.
That is the affirmation; now for the explanation. The explanation will be found, firstly in his own discourse, and then in what eventuated from his death.

1. STEPHEN'S DISCOURSE

In his discourse to the Jewish rulers and his other accusers, Stephen ranged the history of Israel with a single definite thought and object before him. He started with their racial or national father, Abraham, and went on through Isaac; Jacob; Joseph; Moses; the people - in Egypt; the Exodus; the Wilderness; Joshua; David; Solomon; the Prophets.
In what he had to say about all these, one feature and factor runs through all and was governing everything. That factor is that God is ever moving on, and that nothing but disaster can come to those who do not go on with Him. This going on of God, Stephen pointed out, was not just in the progress of history, even the history of a chosen people, it was more essentially a spiritual going on. To Abraham the command was "Get out"; and then, WHEN he was out, a life of pilgrimage to the end; no settling down or taking root. Stephen is quite detailed on this.
When, through Jacob, the national family and potentially the twelve tribes were secured and the possibility of a stop, an arrest, and death by famine was threatening, the continuance and going on was secured by Divine sovereignty as told in the fascinating story of the life of Joseph. From Joseph Stephen went on to Moses - his birth, preservation, education, escape, commission, and the Exodus. God was going on.
At this point some of the strongest and most terrible things are said by Stephen. He is dealing with Israel in the wilderness and he exposes the hidden causes of retarded progress.
Remember that progress is Stephen's subject: God was ever moving on and man ever contrary. Stephen indicates that the retarded progress and the extension of a few days into forty years was due to one thing; it was that, while they were out of Egypt, Egypt was not out of them. Not only were they ever literally looking back to Egypt and inclining to return there but the spirit and principle of idolatry was still strongly in their hearts. This came out in the demand for the golden calf; but Stephen - quoting Amos - said something even more terrible, namely, that, in some mystic way, the very Tabernacle and Temple were, in their souls, associated with Moloch and Rephan - gods of the stellar bodies; and their sacrifices had the same subtle link. While ostensibly Jehovah was the object of worship, actually He was mixed up, in their worship, with other gods. If this is what Stephen meant and what Amos was actually dealing with when this thing in the heart had come out to find exposure in the latter days of the Monarchy, it fully justifies his charge of 'resisting the Holy Ghost'.
But Stephen goes on far beyond the wilderness with the same people. He touches lightly on Joshua, but implies the same spirit. We know that Joshua in type postulated God's movement, ever on, ever up: the going on to exploit the inheritance ever more fully. But, again, that incorrigible disposition to settle down too soon and not go on to fullness marked and marred the history of the conquest.
On Stephen goes to David and to Solomon. David's desire to build a house for God on earth received a very reserved and non-committal response from Him, and was met with the answer that God would build a house of a different order, for
"The Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands...
The heaven is my throne,
And the earth the footstool of my feet:
What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord:
Or what is the place of my rest?
Did not my hand make all these things?". (Acts 7:48,49).
What Stephen saw, and what is stated, intimated, and implicit in the New Testament (a monumental document on the matter is 'the Letter to the Hebrews'), was that Solomon was - at most - but a figure of a greater 'Son', and his temple, with all its glory, wealth, and beauty, was only a pointer ONWARD to "A house not made with hands"; what Peter - after a difficult and painful transition - called, God's SPIRITUAL house.
Stephen concludes with a comprehensive gathering of all this history into "the Prophets", and virtually says that the spirit of prophecy was related to this ever-future, onward, and ultimate SPIRITUAL goal of God.
What again, then, does all this amount to? On the one side, it is a mighty exposure and denunciation of the incorrigible habit and disposition of GOD'S PEOPLE to bring what is essentially heavenly down to earth and fasten it there; to make of the spiritual something temporal; to make of the eternal something which will not - and cannot - abide; to make form, means, orders, and technique all-important. In a word, to have things fixed and boxed, so that the Holy Spirit is thwarted and frustrated in His ever-onward and ever-sovereign movement and innovation, if He so choose. The most dominant note, the most imperative cry of the New Testament is "Let us go on". But the context of this cry is - "outside the camp". The writer of those words in the Letter to the Hebrews, who has so much in common with Stephen, makes it abundantly clear that "outside the camp" means outside of all that which in its Judaistic nature systematizes and crystallizes CHRISTIANITY into a set and settled form: into something earth-bound and final.
On the other side, all this is a revelation of how fierce and terrible will be the opposition of such systems to a purely and definitely SPIRITUAL testimony. Unless there is a conforming, there will at least be ostracism, and at most martyrdom.

2. THE EFFECT OF STEPHEN'S TESTIMONY

Now we have to go back to Jerusalem and look into the real meaning and effect of Stephen's testimony, and consider its particular meaning for Christianity.
Stephen had - at the cost of his life - dared to touch the Temple, and the Temple as the heart and sum of the Jewish system and hierarchy. The effect of his pronouncement was to repudiate that whole system and its earthly centre. He had seen that it had been but a pointer to the heavenly and spiritual which was reached and realised in the entry of Jesus Christ into this world. He had been spiritually immanent in all the aspects of that system and that history, dominating all its features and represented in all its constituents. They had never been the REALITY, the ESSENTIAL, but only ways and means by which the real was signified; they were signs not realities. That which they had signified had now come in fullness and finality, therefore, EARTHLY, material, and localised Temples, Priests, Sacrifices, Vestments, Forms, Names and Titles, Cults, Orders, Times and Seasons, and everything else that made up such a system had, at least, served its purpose, and, at worst, become an empty shell, and a hindrance to the spiritual.
Stephen, in statement and implication, said this, and said it in no uncertain terms and manner. There was no equivocation in his declaration, and he made it quite clear that to have been blind to the spiritual significations of their history, and to continue in that blindness now that the One signified had come was nothing less than 'resisting the Holy Spirit'.
Very well, then, that is so far as Jewry was concerned; but there was a twilight transition period in Jerusalem. While the Apostles and disciples had seen that Jesus fulfilled so much of the Scriptures (as see Luke 24), they certainly had but a very limited apprehension of His full significance as to the old system. They were still 'going up to the Temple', and that, AT THE HOUR OF THE SACRIFICE.
Their last recorded question to the Lord before His ascension shows that they were still clinging to the Jewish hope of a temporal Messianic kingdom on the earth, in spite of His parable of the lord returning after A LONG TIME, and all His teaching on the Holy Spirit, etc.
Is that why, when those who stood on Stephen's ground were, after his death, "all scattered abroad", the Apostles were excepted. They had not wholly repudiated Judaism, circumcision, the Temple, the sacrifices, etc., as Stephen had.
Why did Saul of Tarsus immediately seek out, in Jerusalem (Acts 9:13) and unto 'distant cities' (Acts 26:11), those who had identified themselves with Stephen's position, and leave the Apostles alone? True, the Apostles were having a hard time with the rulers, but not on Stephen's ground. James seems to have been able to hold things together with a group on a partial Judaistic ground, a compromise; and Peter and John were, for some time, with him, as 'Acts' shows. In Jerusalem the Christian Church was largely Judaistic, within the covert of the Temple and the ordinances. But, the Holy Spirit was moving on, and a point is reached where it is A QUESTION FOR CHRISTIANITY whether it was going on or going to stand still, which would mean going back.
The fact is that Stephen had caused a division - the first division - in Christianity, a division which has characterized Christianity right down the centuries into our own time.
The Holy Spirit was moving sovereignly toward a position of utter spirituality and heavenliness; the very essentials of Christ now being in Heaven and the Holy Spirit being here as the characteristic of this dispensation. Peter, himself, was caught up in that sovereign movement in the episode of the house of Cornelius. He prevaricated under the influence of James and "certain" others; but his letters show that he made the transition. This was also abundantly true of John.
But the great event in the sovereign movement of the Holy Spirit was the 'apprehending' of the super-Stephen, Saul of Tarsus. It was he who, in the seeing of Christ in a blaze of illumination, saw all the implications of Stephen's testimony. Henceforth the battle between both the immovable Judaisers and the twilight Christians on the one hand, and an utterly spiritual Church and Christianity, on the other, would focus upon him, until that full revelation had been embodied in his letters and he also fell fighting. Paul's spiritual position, as opposed to a temporal or a semi-mundane system was called "a heresy" (Acts 24:24, margin), and was referred to as a "sect which is everywhere spoken against" (Acts 28:22).
If we are prepared to call Paul's position a "heresy" or a "sect", let us remember that it was that for which Stephen died, and let us see clearly what he and his great successor really stood for, and for which he died. It is something very searching. It reached the first Apostles. It sifted the Church at its beginning. It lies at the root of very much Christian history. It explains many spiritual tragedies. It accounts for much loss of power. It is the meaning of much talk about 'schism', 'sectarianism' and 'divisiveness'.
It would be a vain hope to expect that all Christians - even evangelical Christians - would see the distinction that is presented, or that, if they did see it, would pay the price of accepting it. But there is no doubt or question that the most vital consequences for Christianity are bound up with this issue.
Shall we continue in or revert to what is VIRTUALLY a semi-Judaistic Christianity: an earth-tied, man-managed, system? Shall we fall into that pseudo-spiritual mistake which leads only to limitation - at least; the mistake of collecting from the New Testament, either in actualities or by deductions, certain forms and procedures, 'methods', and technicalities, and shaping them into a 'New Testament' formula, 'blueprint', and 'pattern'? Shall we attempt that vain thing of making a fixed mould from 'New Testament methods' and pour everything into it? Shall we constitute OUR churches on the basis of popular votes, majorities against minorities, natural selection, etc., etc.
Or shall we see what Stephen and Paul saw, that the only Prototype of the Church and the churches is Christ Himself; that the revelation of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit is the only true way of building: that the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the qualification by spiritual gift is the Divine way of 'office', function, and responsibility: that this is the true ORGANISM springing and forming out of spiritual LIFE: that it is conception and not imitation, birth and not manufacture: that prayer and definite guidance coming out of it and not the 'Board Room' or its equivalent is the Holy Spirit's 'method'?
Stephen was the only one in the New Testament who used Christ's chosen title for Himself - "the Son of man", and in that designation all the universality and super-national, super-denominational, and super-racial features are embodied.
What we have written CAN be a key to the Bible, especially the New Testament, and while we believe profoundly that it represents the mind of the Spirit, we can only trust that there will be found a sufficient spiritual concern to lead to a re-reading of Scripture with Stephen's testimony in mind.
No one, we trust, will think that there is any intention of FORCING division in mind or act. As we said in our heading, this is an appeal for spiritual Christianity. Christianity has had, and still has, its battles with heathenism and paganism, and this has meant many martyrs. But this does it no spiritual harm. Where real harm is done and loss is suffered, is in the battle within itself against retrogression, downward spiritual gravitation, traditionalism, legalism, and natural-mindedness. It is the battle against superficiality; which often masquerades as 'simplicity', a fear of depth.
Yes, this battle is a costly one, and has not infrequently brought the heavy stones against those who have stood for the essential spiritual character of this dispensation.
From "A Witness and A Testimony" magazine Jan-Feb 1963 Volume 41-1
 http://www.austin-sparks.net/english/001137.html

End Times Witnessing: 2012 First Dream -Fire from Heaven!

The watchman woke from a terrible dream at 4am. It was the first vivid dream this year. He dreamed of a sunny and modern city with happy and contented looking people selling and buying, enjoying their Sunday activities, eating, drinking, watching games or picnicking in an open field. He walked down the main street with someone he knew. He was on his way to see if he could scout a busy business outlet and offer to invest in it. Suddenly they saw thick smoke and the news that fire came down from the sky and started burning the people in the open field. He and the other person raced down the street toward the burning field. Someone shouted at them where they were going. He shouted back, “We are going to save those in the fire.”They reached there within minutes but there were only charred remains. Some workmen were already clearing the field like after a normal football event…
What a terrible dream! He thanked the Lord it was only a dream. On the night before around 11:30pm he was troubled and prayed about his concern over someone. Then he read the verses from Psalm 45:10-11 in New Living Translation: “¹⁰ Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say. Forget your people and your family far away.  ¹¹ For your royal Husband delights in your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.” (She is well and belongs now to the Lord Himself, being made “royal”!) Then the next morning he was told by the same person that at that same time she prayed in the Spirit and suddenly made a decision to submit to the Lord and let go of all her soul ties with her parental families, old school mates etc who were having a big pagan festive celebration yearly shortly. She decided not to attend anymore. She was surprised at her decision. “It is from the Lord (Holy Spirit), not me”. She said.
How wonderful to be able to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey and be described as “Royal”! (The church-all Christians is required to be, a royal bride to the Lord!)
___________________Fire end times verses as follows:
Mark 9:49 “For everyone will be tested with fire. Mark 9:48-50 (in Context) Mark 9 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 3:9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” Luke 3:8-10 (in Context) Luke 3 (Whole Chapter)
Isaiah 30:27 Look! The LORD is coming from far away, burning with anger, surrounded by thick, rising smoke. His lips are filled with fury; his words consume like fire.
Isaiah 30:26-28 (in Context) Isaiah 30 (Whole Chapter)
Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Jerusalem shake with fear. Terror seizes the godless. “Who can live with this devouring fire?” they cry. “Who can survive this all-consuming fire?” Isaiah 33:13-15 (in Context) Isaiah 33(Whole Chapter
Jeremiah 7:20 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “I will pour out my terrible fury on this place. Its people, animals, trees, and crops will be consumed by the unquenchable fire of my anger.” Jeremiah 7:19-21 (in Context) Jeremiah 7(Whole Chapter)
Ezekiel 20:48 And everyone in the world will see that I, the LORD, have set this fire. It will not be put out.’” Ezekiel 20:47-49 (in Context) Ezekiel 20(Whole Chapter)
Ezekiel 38:22 I will punish you and your armies with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur! Ezekiel 38:21-23 (in Context) Ezekiel 38 (Whole Chapter)
Amos 1:4 So I will send down fire on King Hazael’s palace, and the fortresses of King Ben-hadad will be destroyed. Amos 1:3-5 (in Context) Amos 1 (Whole Chapter)
Amos 1:7 So I will send down fire on the walls of Gaza, and all its fortresses will be destroyed. Amos 1:6-8 (in Context) Amos 1 (Whole Chapter)
Amos 1:10 So I will send down fire on the walls of Tyre, and all its fortresses will be destroyed.” Amos 1:9-11 (in Context) Amos 1 (Whole Chapter)
Amos 1:12 So I will send down fire on Teman, and the fortresses of Bozrah will be destroyed.” Amos 1:11-13 (in Context) Amos 1 (Whole Chapter)
Amos 1:14 So I will send down fire on the walls of Rabbah, and all its fortresses will be destroyed. The battle will come upon them with shouts, like a whirlwind in a mighty storm.
Amos 1:13-15 (in Context) Amos 1 (Whole Chapter)
Amos 2:2 So I will send down fire on the land of Moab, and all the fortresses in Kerioth will be destroyed. The people will fall in the noise of battle, as the warriors shout and the ram’s horn sounds. Amos 2:1-3 (in Context) Amos 2 (Whole Chapter)
Amos 2:5 So I will send down fire on Judah, and all the fortresses of Jerusalem will be destroyed.” Amos 2:4-6 (in Context) Amos 2 (Whole Chapter)
Amos 4:11 “I destroyed some of your cities, as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Those of you who survived were like charred sticks pulled from a fire. But still you would not return to me,” says the LORD. Amos 4:10-12 (in Context) Amos 4 (Whole Chapter)
Amos 5:6 Come back to the LORD and live! Otherwise, he will roar through Israel like a fire, devouring you completely. Your gods in Bethel won’t be able to quench the flames.
Amos 5:5-7 (in Context) Amos 5 (Whole Chapter)
Amos 7:4 [ A Vision of Fire ] Then the Sovereign LORD showed me another vision. I saw him preparing to punish his people with a great fire. The fire had burned up the depths of the sea and was devouring the entire land. Amos 7:3-5 (in Context) Amos 7 (Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 3:13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.
1 Corinthians 3:12-14 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 3 (Whole Chapter)
2 Thessalonians 1:8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (in Context) 2 Thessalonians 1 (Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 10:27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.
Hebrews 10:26-28 (in Context) Hebrews 10 (Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a devouring fire.
Hebrews 12:28-29 (in Context) Hebrews 12 (Whole Chapter)
2 Peter 3:7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.
2 Peter 3:6-8 (in Context) 2 Peter 3 (Whole Chapter)
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
2 Peter 3:9-11 (in Context) 2 Peter 3 (Whole Chapter)
2 Peter 3:12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames.
2 Peter 3:11-13 (in Context) 2 Peter 3 (Whole Chapter)
Revelation 8:7 The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth. One-third of the earth was set on fire, one-third of the trees were burned, and all the green grass was burned.
Revelation 8:6-8 (in Context) Revelation 8 (Whole Chapter)
Revelation 9:18 One-third of all the people on earth were killed by these three plagues—by the fire and smoke and burning sulfur that came from the mouths of the horses.
Revelation 9:17-19 (in Context) Revelation 9 (Whole Chapter)

End Times Witnessing: Watchman's 2011 year end and New Year 2012

The watchman started the New Year with more revelations. A week before the New Year he went to a place where prayers, reading of the Bible, and worship are being carried out 24 hours daily for three days. He rested and sought new directions from the Lord. His prayer was answered.
After he returned he invited a few friends (housewives and children) and relatives and had daily Bible reading for the last three days of 2011. They managed to read the whole New Testament and the five Books of Moses. They read slowly and paused when received promptings to explain one or two words/verses.
The Bible reading was a breakthrough for his neighborhood. The 'supernatural' selection of the two group of 12 readers from 7 families who turned up randomly is amazing. It was like a model for the End Times Church!
1. watchman's own 'household' : six persons from five families.
2. neighborhood friends: six persons from two families
3. The 12 participants were from five different decades: one from late 1940s,  4 from 1960s, 3 from 1970s, 1 boy 1 girl from 1990s and 1 boy 1 girl from 2000s.
4. the random volunteers consisted of persons ranging from 9 year old to 63 year old.
5. two different persons dreamed of two similar dreams before the year end. Both were scenes of crowded outdoor 'churches' which they had not seen before. In one dream the house church was packed and new people kept arriving so they packed the outside courtyard as well. All were unfamiliar faces. None of the regular church members were around except the dreamer and another brethren.
In another dream the church consisted entirely of children and the dreamer was leading them in open places navigating narrow and difficult terrains in between ruined and deserted buildings. The enemies were around but could not see or detect them!

Words received in the spirit by the watchman:

26th-27th December: John 4:21-38 The message is: Be Sowers of seeds (the Word) and Reapers of harvests for the Kingdom of God -do the will of the Father in heaven. (He shared this teaching with his house group on 27th evening)
(Depression set in around 27th and the watchman received the word "Faith" Heb,11:1 and 6 (confirmed again  on 31/12/11 by a text message from another intercessor). He however took sometime to prepare and fortify himself with this shield of faith (which quenches the fiery darts from the enemies). He suffered the cut of his finger, getting into strife and the loss of all his accounting data base when the New Year arrived.)
 29th-30th December: The word was "READ" and "READ" (the Bible)
31st December: The word was "OPEN" (ears, eyes, understanding, effective door, the Scriptures) for the coming year.
(However, there is a warning verse: Heb.4:13 "...but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him  to whom we must give account.")
 1st January 2012: Preacher's confirmation of John 4:21-38! (the watchman's house group members noted this confirmation and felt strengthened in their spirits)
2nd January: Ezekiel 10 and Revelation 8. 'WHEEL', 'FIRE' = PRAYERS
3rd January morning: Christ = God's Love (Read John 17)
3rd January evening: Matt. 5 with house group. "Kingdom of God" life, Son of God life, Spirit-led life = sons of God lives. As the Father in heaven is perfect, so is the Son of God (Jesus) and so are we.
 4th January morning: Encounter the Holy Spirit. New tongues (unutterable sound in the spirit)."REST".
4th January afternoon: Read Luke 19 on treadmill. "Recognize the time of God (Jesus)'s coming to you!" (Zacchaeus of Jericho in contrast to Jerusalem)

 Overall Message for 2012: "KINGDOM" (of God) is advancing!

What an awesome way to start the New Year!

Watchman’s Adventure: A Freedom Song for End Times

 The watchman sang one song in his spirit throughout the night. When he woke he realized it is Psalm 103. The verses he kept repeating are: verses 1-5. When he read the whole psalm he received it as a “flight to freedom” song. So he sings.

What a wonderful yearend this has become!
______________________________

Psalm 103

A Psalm of David.

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;


And all that is within me, bless His holy name!


2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,


And forget not all His benefits:


3 Who forgives all your iniquities,


Who heals all your diseases,


4 Who redeems your life from destruction,


Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,


5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,


So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.


6 The LORD executes righteousness

And justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

9 He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father pities his children,

So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

14 For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

_________________________

15 As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

And its place remembers it no more.[a]

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting

On those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children’s children,

18 To such as keep His covenant,

And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven,


And His kingdom rules over all.



20 Bless the LORD, you His angels,

Who excel in strength, who do His word,

Heeding the voice of His word.

21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,

You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all His works,

In all places of His dominion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Footnotes:

1.Psalm 103:16 Compare Job 7:10